The New Zealand Maori rugby team have opened their two-match overseas tour with a 51-9 thumping of Canada.
Sean Wainui goes over for the NZ Maori against Canada. Photo: Photosport
In a match played under the roof at BC Place in Vancouver on Saturday, the Maori side ran in seven tries to none in what was a convincing display.
The visitors led 27-9 at halftime, keeping their hosts scoreless in the second half.
Wing Ambrose Curtis, lock Tom Franklin, loose-forward Akira Ioane, midfielders Charlie Ngatai and Sean Wainui and replacement backs Shaun Stevenson and Jackson Garden-Bachop all dotted down, with Ihaia West and Garden-Bachop sharing the goal-kicking duties.
The result will be a confidence booster for the Maori ahead of the second and final match of their tour, against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux next weekend.
Under new coach Clayton McMillan, the Maori side achieved the one-sided margin over Canada with only 14 men on the field for 20 of the 80 minutes.
Flanker Dan Pryor and centre Tim Bateman both received yellow cards during the match.
The Maori's last match prior to their win over Canada was a disappointing 32-10 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Rotorua in June.
New Zealand Maori 51 (Ambrose Curtis, Akira Ioane, Tom Franklin, Charlie Ngatai, Shaun Stevenson, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Sean Wainui tries; Ihaia West 4 con, 2 pen, Jackson Garden-Bachop con) beat Canada 9 (Brock Staller 3 pen). Halftime: 27-9.
